Government shutdown brings nearly 23,000 furloughs in S.A.

Updated 10:35 am, Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Cathy Tappon of Wisconsin, stops to read the sign at Mission San Jose stating the National Park is closed due to the government shutdown, Oct. 1, 2013.

Cathy Tappon of Wisconsin, stops to read the sign at Mission San Jose stating the National Park is closed due to the government shutdown, Oct. 1, 2013.

Photo: BOB OWEN, San Antonio Express-News

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Vicki Tocci, a human resources employee at JBSA-Randolph, watches television in her home on her first day of being without work because of the federal government shutdown. Tocci said that she is making the best of a bad situation, relaxing and taking care of responsibilities that she has unable to get to because of her previously busy days. less

Vicki Tocci, a human resources employee at JBSA-Randolph, watches television in her home on her first day of being without work because of the federal government shutdown. Tocci said that she is making the best ... more

Photo: Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News

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A "closed" sign sits on the front steps of the National Gallery of Art in Washington,Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday as a long-running dispute over President Barack Obama's health care law stalled a temporary funding bill, forcing about 800,000 federal workers off the job and suspending most non-essential federal programs and services. less

A "closed" sign sits on the front steps of the National Gallery of Art in Washington,Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday as a long-running dispute over ... more

Photo: Carolyn Kaster, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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A US Park Police officer watches at left as a National Park Service employee posts a sign on a barricade closing access to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday as a long-running dispute over President Barack Obama's health care law stalled a temporary funding bill, forcing about 800, 000 federal workers off the job and suspending most non-essential federal programs and services. less

A US Park Police officer watches at left as a National Park Service employee posts a sign on a barricade closing access to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Congress plunged the nation ... more

Photo: Carolyn Kaster, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Workers make repairs to a ticket booth, used for tours to the Statue of Liberty, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013 in New York. The statue, like other national parks, is closed due to a government shutdown.

Workers make repairs to a ticket booth, used for tours to the Statue of Liberty, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013 in New York. The statue, like other national parks, is closed due to a government shutdown.

Photo: MARK LENNIHAN, AP

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Mark Weekley, superintendent at the National Park Service's Lewis and Clark National Historical Trail, affixes the edges of a sign proclaiming the facility closed due to the federal government shutdown, in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. less

Mark Weekley, superintendent at the National Park Service's Lewis and Clark National Historical Trail, affixes the edges of a sign proclaiming the facility closed due to the federal government shutdown, in ... more

Photo: Nati Harnik, AP

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A notice advising visitors that the American Cemetery is closed due to the partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government hangs from the gates of the cemetery in Suresnes, west of Paris, Tuesday Oct. 1, 2013. The U.S. plunged into a partial government shutdown for the first time in nearly two decades because of a budget impasse in Congress, closing public sites in the U.S. and abroad. less

A notice advising visitors that the American Cemetery is closed due to the partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government hangs from the gates of the cemetery in Suresnes, west of Paris, Tuesday Oct. 1, 2013. ... more

Photo: Remy De La Mauviniere, AP

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A sign explaining the closing of the Library of Congress is posted outside the Library of Congress in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday as a long-running dispute over President Barack Obama's health care law stalled a temporary funding bill, forcing about 800,000 federal workers off the job and suspending most non-essential federal programs and services. less

A sign explaining the closing of the Library of Congress is posted outside the Library of Congress in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday ... more

Photo: Susan Walsh, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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National Zoological Park Police Officer Will Jones directs visitor Miguel Miranda and his family of Mexico at the entrance of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, as the zoo is closed due to the government shutdown. Miranda was advised to turn around. less

National Zoological Park Police Officer Will Jones directs visitor Miguel Miranda and his family of Mexico at the entrance of the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, as ... more

Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Tourists who had hoped to visit the Statue of Liberty stand near the dock used by Liberty Island ferries, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013 in New York. A government shutdown, the first since the winter of 1995-96, closed national parks across the nation. less

Tourists who had hoped to visit the Statue of Liberty stand near the dock used by Liberty Island ferries, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013 in New York. A government shutdown, the first since the winter of 1995-96, closed ... more

Photo: MARK LENNIHAN, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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A Park Ranger erect barricades in view of a shuttered Independence Hall at Independence National Historical Park Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday as a long-running dispute over President Barack Obama's health care law stalled a temporary funding bill, forcing about 800, 000 federal workers off the job and suspending most non-essential federal programs and services. less

A Park Ranger erect barricades in view of a shuttered Independence Hall at Independence National Historical Park Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government ... more

Photo: Matt Rourke, AP

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A sign posted on a door at Castle Clinton National Monument reads, "Because of the federal government shutdown, this National Park Service facility is closed," Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013 in New York. "Closed" signs and barricades sprang up at the Lincoln Memorial, and national parks and federal workplaces across the country were following suit. less

A sign posted on a door at Castle Clinton National Monument reads, "Because of the federal government shutdown, this National Park Service facility is closed," Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013 in New York. "Closed" signs ... more

Photo: MARK LENNIHAN, AP

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A barrier blocks the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, as national parks were closed due the budget battle. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday as a long-running dispute over President Barack Obama's health care law stalled a temporary funding bill, forcing about 800,000 federal workers off the job and suspending most non-essential federal programs and services. less

A barrier blocks the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, as national parks were closed due the budget battle. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown ... more

Photo: Carolyn Kaster, AP

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A US Park Police officer pulls police tape across the steps closing access to the Lincoln Memorial bin Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday as a long-running dispute over President Barack Obama's health care law stalled a temporary funding bill, forcing about 800,000 federal workers off the job and suspending most non-essential federal programs and services. less

A US Park Police officer pulls police tape across the steps closing access to the Lincoln Memorial bin Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday ... more

Photo: Carolyn Kaster, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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A US Park Police officer ties police tape to a hand rail closing access to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday as a long-running dispute over President Barack Obama's health care law stalled a temporary funding bill, forcing about 800,000 federal workers off the job and suspending most non-essential federal programs and services. less

A US Park Police officer ties police tape to a hand rail closing access to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday as a ... more

Photo: Carolyn Kaster, AP

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A barrier blocks the path along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, that leads to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial which is closed. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday as a long-running dispute over President Barack Obama's health care law stalled a temporary funding bill, forcing about 800,000 federal workers off the job and suspending most non-essential federal programs and services. less

A barrier blocks the path along the Tidal Basin in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, that leads to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial which is closed. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government ... more

Photo: Carolyn Kaster, AP

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Karl Engdahl of Walnut Creek Calf., is seen reflected in the closed entrance to the Liberty Bell at Independence National Historical Park, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday as a long-running dispute over President Barack Obama's health care law stalled a temporary funding bill, forcing about 800, 000 federal workers off the job and suspending most non-essential federal programs and services. less

Karl Engdahl of Walnut Creek Calf., is seen reflected in the closed entrance to the Liberty Bell at Independence National Historical Park, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, in Philadelphia. Congress plunged the nation ... more

Photo: Matt Rourke, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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A sign reading "Because of the Federal Government SHUTDOWN All National Parks are Closed" is posted on a barricade in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday as a long-running dispute over President Barack Obama's health care law stalled a temporary funding bill, forcing about 800,000 federal workers off the job and suspending most non-essential federal programs and services. less

A sign reading "Because of the Federal Government SHUTDOWN All National Parks are Closed" is posted on a barricade in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013. Congress plunged the ... more

Photo: Carolyn Kaster, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Employees of the National Parks Service walk out of their offices at Mission San Jose on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, following the goverment shutdown.

Employees of the National Parks Service walk out of their offices at Mission San Jose on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013, following the goverment shutdown.

Photo: BOB OWEN, San Antonio Express-News

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National Park Service Mission San Jose is closed down due to the government shutdown on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013.

National Park Service Mission San Jose is closed down due to the government shutdown on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013.

Photo: BOB OWEN, San Antonio Express-News

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The truth about House Speaker John Boehner's leadership is far more complex than the conventional wisdom being fed to the American public.

The truth about House Speaker John Boehner's leadership is far more complex than the conventional wisdom being fed to the American public.

Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM, AFP/Getty Images

Government shutdown brings nearly 23,000 furloughs in S.A.

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Tens of thousands of San Antonians furloughed by the government shutdown Tuesday were left with faint hope of a speedy return to work and the real threat of financial uncertainty as nonessential federal workers nationwide were sidelined.

A political impasse in Washington forced the government to shut down at midnight Monday, shuttering federal agencies, websites and parks, including the city's missions.

Civilian military workers were hardest hit. Most of more than 23,000 civilian defense employees in San Antonio were sent home Tuesday.

Civilian employees reported to work and signed furlough letters with their supervisors.

“Then, they put in their out of office replies, wrapped up any projects, shut down their stations and headed home,” said Lt. Samantha Degnan, usually a deputy at Lackland, who was placed in charge of Joint Base San Antonio's communications, as the highest-ranking officer in the department.

Degnan said the exact number of furloughed employees wasn't yet known.

Military personnel at the three bases that comprise JBSA — Lackland, Randolph and Fort Sam Houston — continued working, but the facilities were noticeably quieter.

The union is nonpartisan but Hewitt said he blamed Republicans in Congress for the shutdown by seeking a delay in implementation of the Affordable Care Act in budget negotiations.

More Information

Shutdown impact in San Antonio

Air travel: San Antonio International Airport and Stinson Municipal Airport are operating normally.

Federal Courts: U.S. District Courts and U.S. Bankruptcy Courts have reserve funds to remain open through Oct. 15.

Internal Revenue Service: Walk-in taxpayer assistance centers will be closed. No live phone customer service assistance will be available. Individuals with appointments for audits should assume they're canceled. Individuals who requested an extension of time to file should file their returns by Oct. 15, 2013.

Joint Base San Antonio: The commissaries are closed, starting Wednesday.

National Parks: All, including the four federally funded missions; Concepción, San José, San Juan and Espada; are immediately closed to the public. The parishes at the missions will remain open for services. The Alamo is not affected.

National Weather Service: Austin-San Antonio office will remain open.

Social Security Administration: Local offices open for limited services including help in applying for benefits and assistance in requesting an appeal. Not currently issuing replacement Medicare or Social Security cards.

State Offices: State offices which are not federally funded will not be affected.

United States Postal Service: Remains open, and mail delivery will continue as usual.

“At this point, we're holding the Republican responsible,” Hewitt said. “We'd like to see
their pay and benefits taken away.”

Several legislators, including Democratic San Antonio Reps. Joaquín Castro, Henry Cuellar and Pete Gallego, and Republican Texas Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, have pledged to donate their congressional pay, which is protected by law during a shutdown.

“I will make charitable contributions, but not tied to these shenanigangs,” he said via email.

Republican Rep. Lamar Smith said he would support a measure that withheld congressional pay during a government closure. By Tuesday evening, no such rule had been passed.

Congressional offices in the San Antonio area remained open Tuesday. Congressional staff was paid for the month on Monday.

Vicki Tocci's next paycheck is uncertain. The civilian human resources employee at JBSA-Randolph said she's worried about making her next mortgage payment.

“When I started working for the government 10 years ago, everyone was so excited,” said Tocci, who tries to send money to her daughter in college when she needs it.

“I still say it's an excellent job,” she said. “But I am looking at other alternatives. Maybe even going overseas.”

The federal funding cutoff shouldn't affect Social Security and disability payments, non-civilian military pay and health care for servicemembers and veterans. New or pending claims and applications, however, could be delayed.

Although ICE law enforcement officials are considered essential personnel, and remained on the job, Rocha and other administrative staffers were on the other list.

After transferring top-priority tasks to essential co-workers, Rocha went home. He said he didn't know for how long he'll be off the clock.

Luke Chastain, a senior inspector with the U.S. Marshal Service, stayed on the job, overseeing the security of federal lawyers and judges.

“It's a little bit frustrating,” he said. “I know I'll get paid down the road, but I don't know when.”

Congress moved to retroactively pay furloughed civilians after the 1995 government shutdown. It's unclear if it will again.

“People are angry and upset; they don't know how these furloughs will affect the family's financial bottom line; it could cost them their homes,” said state Rep. José Menéndez, whose district includes parts of Port San Antonio and neighborhoods that surround both Lackland and the former Kelly AFB.

During the previous government shutdown, Dec. 16, 1995, to Jan. 6, 1996, tens of thousands of home loans were held up due to unprocessed applications for federal home mortgage insurance.

By early afternoon Tuesday, phone lines at JBSA and at federal agencies including the local branch of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development were being picked up by recorded closed-until-further-notice messages. Websites had postings saying the pages might not be updated.

Civilian workers at JBSA, still scrambling to make up for the six days' lost pay under the summer's sequestration, this time faced grim uncertainty as to how long the impasse would last.

“It's very early days right now, but I can confirm that we have been receiving calls today from these furloughed employees,” she said.

Furloughs will be treated as temporary layoffs, exempting work search requirements for up to 12 weeks.

Thirty-seven of 40 local National Parks Service workers were also placed on unpaid leave. The Missions Park was closed to visitors, though parishes within the historic missions remained open for services and the Alamo was not affected.

The Sarginger family arrived in San Antonio Monday to spend fall break exploring the missions. Zach Sargniger, 10, was planning a school project comparing Texas' historic missions to California's.

“I've taken a few pictures, just from the outsides,” said Zach, outside Mission Concepción.

“It's kind of a bummer,” his mother, Kirsten, said. “We thought (the federal government would) figure things out last night.”

Staff Writers David Palacio, Guillermo Contreras and John W. Gonzalez contributed to this report.